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RVTOM · 04-10-2013, 11:43 AM

Brought 30 ft southwind home from storage and had to jump start. Battery did not charge while driving home(10 miles).
Recovering from upper resperitory infection and can't do much to see what it takes to replace alternator. Can't see under hood or engine cover inside mh.
Can someone tell me if this is going to be a big ticket item when i take it in to service to replace alternator?

Thanks
tom

dstinch · 04-10-2013, 12:02 PM

It might be a little pricey. Do you know the mec.? Some times it is hard to get to in the engine bay and they put a big alt. in MH's. Most charge around $100 a hr so 2 hrs labor $150 or more for the alt. You might need new belts!

Don

George Schweikle · 04-10-2013, 03:02 PM

Almost all shops will have a "Flat rate" book that specifies what to charge for many services and, regardless of the actual time needed, will charge this rate. If you have a shop in mind to replace the alternator, just ask for a quote. Assuming the engine cover van be easily removed, I don't think the time should be over one hour. Of course, some RV shops are charging $100 / $125 per hour. A rebuilt high Amp alternator will be around $250, so my guess for total cost should be around $350 - $400.

However, if you are at all handy and when you recover, you can replace the alternator yourself. It's not that difficult. The alternator is on the upper passenger side front of the engine and can be removed with simple tools.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVTOM

Brought 30 ft southwind home from storage and had to jump start. Battery did not charge while driving home(10 miles).
Recovering from upper resperitory infection and can't do much to see what it takes to replace alternator. Can't see under hood or engine cover inside mh.
Can someone tell me if this is going to be a big ticket item when i take it in to service to replace alternator?

Thanks
tom

Go Dawgs · 04-10-2013, 05:06 PM

I'm not sure 10 miles would be enough to recharge a dead battery. Put it on a charger and get a full charge, then check with a multi-meter to see where the amps are. Should read at least 12.5 or higher. If not replace the battery and when in storage disconnect the ground cable so it won't draw the battery dead. You have a parisite draw, not uncommon, and until you find it keep the negative post off while stored.

ChasA · 04-10-2013, 05:40 PM

Tom,
When you drove it home did you have a warning light? If not, Arnold may be right. The easiest way for you to check is to connect a voltmeter to your chassis battery with the engine running. If the alternator is charging, your voltmeter should show greater than 14 volts. If your voltmeter shows less than 12.6 volts with the engine running you could have corroded connections between the battery and alternator or your alternator may actually be bad.

eddieelk · 04-10-2013, 05:45 PM

RVTOM: I changed my alternator on my 454 twice, no problem. Take off the doghouse, about 25 screws. Remove the unit from inside, and take to OReillys or Autozone to see if it's any good. If you can get it rebuilt locally, it might be better. Otherwise, order a new one. I think I used a long extension to reach the adjustment bolt to tighten the belt, otherwise use a ratchet from inside. It was an easy replacement. Eddie Elk.

bob_5297 · 04-10-2013, 07:34 PM

If the MH ran the whole ten miles I would have to say that alt. is working just fine and your battery is Dead. I would replace the battery first.

bob_5297 · 04-10-2013, 07:42 PM

Your alt. also powers the electrical components for the engine to run. So if alt. was bad you would start to slowly loose important engine sustaining elements